Robots use sensors to gain perception and awareness of their environment, allowing them to interact with the world effectively.
Sensors are fundamental to a robot's ability to operate. They act as the robot's senses, providing the necessary inputs for understanding its surroundings. As highlighted, sensors give robots a "sense" of perception and awareness.
Specifically, sensors give the inputs that allow a robot to perceive the world, gather information about its surroundings, and act based on that information. This means sensors collect data – such as distances, light levels, sounds, or pressure – which the robot's internal system then processes to make decisions and perform actions.
Different types of sensors enable robots to achieve various forms of perception:
- Vision: Using cameras or other imaging sensors to "see."
- Hearing: Utilizing microphones to detect sounds.
- Touch: Employing tactile sensors to feel objects or surfaces.
- Navigation: Incorporating sensors like GPS, lidar, or ultrasonic sensors to determine location and path.
By integrating data from these sensors, a robot can build a picture of its environment, identify obstacles, locate targets, and execute tasks that require understanding physical space and interactions.
